Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-17)

John 13:1-17
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
• John 13-17 mentions “love” 31 times, John 1-12 only mentions it 5 times.
• Shows us the “full extent” of love – "eis telos" – Greek for “ultimate calling”
o Christ’s love for us
V. 1. – “…Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end…”
V.2 – At this point, Christ knows He will die on the cross, and Judas Iscariot will soon betray Him.
V.3 – Christ acknowledges God’s control over the entire situation that is about to unfold.
• Footwashing was a very humbling service – even humiliating
o Usually…
 Servant → Master
 Wife → Husband, Father
 Disciples → Teachers
• Christ’s actions – “an acted parable”
• A foreshadowing of Christ’s crucifixion
V.4 – “Laid aside” his garments – “Tithemi” → Crucifixion
V.12 – “Take up” his garments – “Lambano” → Resurrection
• Footwashing → Washing us clean of our sins
• Jesus even washes Judas’ feet, knowing that Judas will soon betray Him. The devil has put it in Judas’ heart to betray Jesus.
• Revelation of God’s character
WE CAN’T SAVE OURSELVES• Peter’s response to Christ’s washing the disciples’ feet is prideful, rebuking.
• Peter does not know the ways of God (Isaiah 55:8)
• Peter rebukes Christ’s actions because of his worldly views. He struggles to accept Christ’s act of humility due to its deviation from traditional conduct.
V.8 – “If I do not wash you, you have no part of Me.”
• “Part” – “meros” – one’s share of inheritance
• Our meros → heaven, salvation
• Accept Jesus – His words and His light